The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1887-12-08


events will deny; and that the time has
come, and fully come, when something
should be done to rescue this decadence
in the States largest interest, all are per.
fectly agreed. To assist in putting into
operation causes which will restore to the
farmer prosperity, enable him by deep
study of agricultural science and general
education to build up again his lost for.
tune and abandoned hope, and to rival
the advance in other lines of industrial
progress, and save to the farm the intel.
ligence of the country is the task before
you.
at the last session of this Convention
it was thought wise, in behalf of the
objects mentioned above, to ask of our
Legislators an enlargement of our Board
of Agriculture and its reorganization
upon a more liberal basis, and the estab-
lishment of an Agricultural College,
which would be worthy of and would
have the support of the farmers of the
State. The former of these bills passed
the House. In the Senate its final con.
sideration was postponed until the
present session of that body. The latter
measure was not passed, for reasons
which appeared sufficient. We are firmly
convinced of the Importance of these
measures and of the great auxiliary help
which they will give to the agriculture
of the State, and they should be no
longer postponed. It is needless to dis.
cuss them or their merits. Enough has.
been said through the press during the
past year to establish them in the minds
of all of our people who are not utterly
blinded by self-conceit, dogmatism or
spirit of opposition to progress. Indeed
there seems to be left very little question
of the merits of the measures proposed,
and opponents finding themselves with
out argument, would defeat their enact
ment by jarring that sensitive nerve, the
pocket.
If it were necessary, gentlemen, it
could be pointed out how it is possible
to inaugurate these measures without
adding to the burdens of the people or
detracting from the efficiency OF the gov.
ernment, butit would be presumptuous
to do this to an intelligent Legislature
which will pass upon them.
Can State which freely votes, per.
haps, $25,OOO for simple experimental
stations, which affords $4,000 Office
for one of its servants, and such conyen-
fences as he has been able to collect
around him, which enjoys an annual
specific income from its farmers of
$4,000, from the national government
S11,5OO, and $4,000 for this very pur-
pose, which alone of all the States in this
Union has an annual income from its
water ways of over 100000, and whose
purse is so we'll filled that it can afford
delinquent taxes to aggregate 1896, 900,
whose officers are so generously paid that
pending a canvass the average voter is
bewildered with the number and rich
ness of the material offered for the places,
whose policy is to vote thousands OF dol.
lars annually to educate boys, other than
those who would engage in agriculture,
for the career of life. Can such a State
plead inability on the score of poverty !?
It is incredible.
Sustained as we are by the right and
having the moral support Of the people
at large, let US deliberate with calmness
and moderation, but with earnestness,
and leave our conclusions and claims
with those who have been elected to
position TO carry out the wishes of the
people.
The roll of delegates was then made
up. the chairmen of the different county
delegations giving to the Secretary, j. t.,
Duncan, of Newberry, the list of their
delegations.
"A motion was made to insert as Arti-
Gle II of the bylaws provision for the
election of officers, and renumber the
articles following.
After some discussion, which evidenced
that the Convention did not wish to pro.
ceed to the election Of officers, the matter
was referred to committee consisting of
one from, each county.
On motion, the reading of the minutes
of the previous meeting was disposed
with.
As Chairman of the Executive Com
mittee, Captain Tillman read letter
sent by him in his official capacity in
reply to circular sent out by the Com.
missioner of Agriculture, asking infor-
nation in relation to the location, cost
and curriculum of an agricultural college.
The letter was received as information.
Under the head of reports of special
committees but one was forthcoming.
Capt. Tillman reported that committee
of three had been appointed at the last
Convention to draft certain bills to carry
out the wishes of that Convention, present
the same to the Legislature and secure
their passage if possible. The committee
had discharged its duty so far as possible,
and had drawn up a bill to reorganize
the Agricultural Department. This had
been Withdrawn and q new one substi.
tuted which had passed the House and
now hangs in the Senate. A bill for 6
separate Agricultural College was not
introduced by reason of the general
scarcity of means and other sufficient
reasons. The report was received as in
formation.
Captain Tillman at this point said that
he thought the Convention was working
in the dark and suggested that the Sec
retary read summary of the proceedings
of last years Convention. A motion to
this effect being adopted the Secretary
read some of the minutes of the last pre-.
vious meeting and the platform then
adopted.
A committee of one from each county
was appointed under the provisions of g
resolution adopted that such a committee
should be appointed and have as its
duties the arrangement of business for
the consideration of the Convention.
On motion, alternates were given the
privilege of the floor and to participate
in discussion, and it was also moved and
adopted that the Committee On Business
sit during the recess.
INFORMATION INVITED.
The following resolutions were offered
by G.. W. Shell, of Laurens, and adopted
by the Convention:
ResoIved, That this Farmers Conven-
ton respectfully invite the Board of
Trustees of the South Carolina College to
send such one or more of their number
Of the faculty of the South Carolina
College to meet this Convention to night
at 7.3O o'clock to explain and discuss the
question of agricultural education and the
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